Space

DRA GEN
Crimson red lights coloured the corridors at intervals, indicative of imminent danger. Each
flash acted as the hands of a ticking clock, a grim reminder of what was to come.
Three of the crew sped towards the airlock, time now a luxury they couldn’t afford. The
lives of Kaydn and Humaira hung in the balance.
And it was all due to a moment of naivete.
“Why did you let them leave, Kara?” Erie demanded furiously.
“They told me that the labyrinth was safe!” Kara defended, “They showed me those texts
again and--”
“They showed all of us those texts!” Erie almost screamed, “You don’t see us pulling off a
stupid stunt like this. Honestly, Kara, I taught you better than this!”
Kara held back her retort and sulked in response. She was unwavered in her decision to let
them leave, if it weren’t her then who else would it be? The distress call must be a false
alarm, it had to be. Most of the spacecraft had broken down and communications couldn’t
just start up on its own.
Even so, her heart raced, a seed of doubt implanted within her.
“The both of you stay behind,” Evelyn ordered once they reached the airlock doors, “I have
every inch of that cavern memorised, it’ll be faster that way.”
She extended her hand towards the scanner.
“Out of the question,” Erie grabbed her wrist, “Whatever they saw sounded like trouble and
I can’t have you going in there without backup. Or a plan, for that matter.”
“This isn’t my first rodeo, sweetheart. I'm sure that I'll be fine.”
“This is not the time for the shoot first, think later approach--”
“I seriously don't have time for this,” Evelyn pulled her hand away and placed it on the
scanner, “If you want to come so badly, then be my guest. But if anything were to happen to
you, best be warned that I will leave you behind.”
The doors opened and Evelyn stepped in, “Move now if you're coming because I'll be
closing these doors with or without you.”
She grabbed one of the space suits while the other two looked on. Torn between fear and
duty, they lingered by the door. Reckless valour in the face of danger was uncharted
territory for them both. Even more so with the threat at hand.
“I’m giving you three seconds.”
Erie exhaled loudly as she entered the airlock, “You had better know what you're doing,”
Evelyn made a dismissive sound in response and shoved the space suit into her hands.
“Suit up.”
Kara remained by the door still, too frightened to move. No matter how hard she tried she
just couldn’t summon up the courage. The consequences of her actions, if it was indeed a
bad one, were too dire for her to face.